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Senator Hoffmann co-sponsored amendments to the Sexual Assault Reform Act of 2000 during the 2003 Legislative Session to toughen the laws against sexual assault offenders and also provide more support and assistance to sexual assault survivors. |
Joining Governor Pataki for the signing ceremony at Syracuse's new Criminal Courts Building were; Anne Liske, Executive Director of the New York State Coalition Against Sexual Assault, Assemblymembers Susan John, Brian Kolb and Gary Finch, Senator Hoffmann, Onondaga County District Attorney William Fitzpatrick, and behind him is Michael Acuri, the Oneida County District Attorney and President of the NY District Attorneys Association. |
Anne Liske, Executive Director of the New York State Coalition Against Sexual Assault, said, "Advocates across the state are pleased to witness the completion of important reforms begun in 2000. Now sexual assault survivors will have the opportunity to more easily access services and see justice served in their cases." (l-r) Assemblyman Will Barclay, Governor Pataki, Anne Liske, Assemblywoman Susan John and Assemblyman Brian Kolb. |
After the signing ceremony, Senator Hoffmann talked with Criminal Justice Director, Chauncey G. Parker, about sexual assualt offenders in the prison system. Senator Hoffmann created the Sexual Offender Treatment Program now in use in the State Corrections System and she is working to institute a similar program in County Correctional facilities. |
Syracuse Police Chief Dennis Duvall attended the signing ceremony and afterwards he thanked Senator Hoffmann for continuing the Y.E.S. program. Youth Employment Services, operated through Southwest Community Services, provides summer jobs for young people combined with mentoring from the Police Department to combat violence in the area. Senator Hoffmann started the program last year with a $50,000 grant and funded it again this summer. Some 80 young people have participated in Y.E.S. |